Whether you're in Kallang, Orchard or Bali, Kilo is one lifestyle franchise that's more than just your traditional restaurant or club
It’s on the tip of the tongue of most food connoisseurs, nightlife fanatics a-many call it their casa, and you might’ve even heard proclamations of its appeal all the way from Bali. Like a beacon illuminating the scene it inhabits, the Kilo brand is one that’s rippled through the hearts of patrons and punters, with its trajectory only gaining more momentum. But perhaps you’d like to know what trump cards Kilo has dealt to make it so darn buzzworthy; why it’s become a franchise that’s garnered our devotion time and time again. Huddle closer to the hype, y’all; here are six fun-facts about Kilo that are worth your curiosity.
1) The ‘Kilo’ moniker is inspired by nautical lingo
No, it’s never referred to the ‘Kilo’-grams of food it hauls into the kitchen, nor the ‘Kilo’-watts of energy it brings to the dancefloor. ‘Kilo’ is actually a salute to the symbol system that governs international maritime signal flags. Kilo’s blue-and-yellow brand logo is a playful adaptation of the signal flag for the letter ‘K’, which – amongst sailors – is a code for “I wish to communicate with you”. And clearly, Kilo’s long gotten our attention.
2) Getting sinfully stuffed is definitely an option
Having spent years perfecting its craft in the kitchen, the Kilo brand dishes out fusion fare that’s gastronomically sound. Pop into Kilo Kallang’s open-air restaurant on the second storey of Ture Building, and you’ll inevitably work up an appetite with Asian-inspired selections like beef tongue tacos with apple miso slaw, spicy duck & pomelo salad with nam yam and green mango, and chicken bulgogi with pickled shiitake and tempura flakes. Sounds like all the energy you need, especially if you’re headed upstairs next…
3) Patrons have worked off the food coma with yoga and shopping
Ascend to the eighth storey in Kilo Kallang’s graffiti-scribbled cargo elevator, and you’ll be able to find a nexus of bustling pop-up activities that Kilo Lounge has been known to curate. For instance, there was that time when Nirvana Mind hosted a yoga workshop within the multi-purpose event venue. And stores have spontaneously surfaced, with brands like Gucci, Puma and Shu Uemura displaying fashion collections and new product launches. Rather relish in art though? Even the Glasgow School of Art has launched an art exhibition here!
4) Ghost stories have been told within Kilo’s walls
Oh don’t be a scaredy cat! Just recently, Kilo Lounge let many face their fears and talk it out with its enlightening Kilo Dialogues series; the most recent of which focused on paranormal investigators and haunted places in Singapore. Pushing the boundaries as a vibrant social hub, Kilo Lounge also encourages public talks on issues like architecture, design, photography and lifestyle. Now that’s a convo starter.
5) Kilo has many faces in many places
Raw Kitchen Bar might ring a bell if you were savvy with the Bukit Timah food scene in 2008. Well, did you also know that Raw Kitchen Bar was essentially the predecessor to the first Kilo restaurant that opened in 2011? Since rebuilding its foundation at Kilo Kallang in Ture Building, owner, Javier Perez, went on to establish Kilo Orchard (now closed) in 2012, Kilo Lounge (now reopening) in February 2014, and even Kilo Bali in September 2014, which sits in the heart of the Seminyak district. World domination next? We don’t see why not!
6) You’ll feel right at home no matter which Kilo you go to
Honouring the nautical signal flag that inspired its philosophy, the Kilo brand is always about bridging gaps and the communication of ideas between people who step through its doors. As such, Kilo believes in embracing its guests like a gracious homeowner, hosting chilled-out settings without burdensome formalities. Everything under its roof – the food, the cocktails, the music and the vibe – is all made with love. And we feel it every single time.
Kilo Kallang, #02-01 Ture Building, 66 Kampong Bugis, Singapore 338987, p. 6467 3987. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-12am.
Kilo Bali, 22 Jalan Drupadi, Bali, Indonesia 80361, p. +62 361 4741006. Open 5.30pm-11pm (dinner), 5.30pm-12am (bar).
This article is sponsored by Kilo.